Ortho Biotech Reiterates Confidence in PROCRIT(R) (Epoetin alfa) Safety and Efficacy When Used Accordin...(Biotech looks forward to working closely...),Health

About PROCRIT (Epoetin alfa)

PROCRIT can be used for the treatment of anemia in patients with most types of cancer receiving chemotherapy, with chronic renal failure who are on dialysis and those who are not on dialysis, who are being treated with zidovudine for HIV infection, and to reduce the need for transfusion in anemic patients who are scheduled for elective noncardiac, nonvascular surgery. Depending on the country in which Epoetin alfa is marketed, these indications may differ.

Important U.S. Safety Information for PROCRIT

From the Boxed Warnings

* Use the lowest dose of PROCRIT that will gradually increase the

hemoglobin (Hb) concentration to the lowest level sufficient to avoid

the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion.

* PROCRIT and other erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) increased the

risk for death and for serious cardiovascular events (including serious

arterial and venous thromboembolic events, myocardial infarction,

stroke, congestive heart failure) when administered to target a Hb of

greater than 12 g/dL. A rate of hemoglobin rise of greater than 1 g/dL

over 2 weeks may also contribute to these risks.

* Cancer patients: Use of ESAs:

-- Shortened the time to tumor progression in patients with advanced

head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy when administered

to target a Hb of greater than 12 g/dL.

-- Shortened overall survival and increased deaths attributed to

disease progression at 4 months in patients with metastatic breast

cancer receiving chemotherapy when administered to target a Hb of

greater than 12 g/dL.

-- Increased the risk of death when administered to
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